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The Arizona Cardinals released D.J. Swearinger today, after his struggles to defend tight ends through the first four games of the season.
With Swearinger’s departure, this leaves the Cardinals a little thin at safety.
DB Chris Banjo is not expected to start, considering he was signed only five days ago. Both Banjo and Charles Washington are two players that are likely to remain on special teams. The Josh Shaw injury in the preseason hurts more now than before.
This would leave the two Thompsons as the safeties that are likely to receive more playing time.
Deionte Thompson (6-1 195lbs) was drafted in the fifth-round out of Alabama and was considered as one of the top safeties of this past draft class. His draft stock took a nosedive due to concerns with his knee and his straight-line speed. Though he has not played much this season, he is an upgrade to Swearinger being a little bigger and a little faster than him.
In his senior season at Alabama, he made 78 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, six passes deflected, and forced three fumbles.
Jalen Thompson (5-11 190lbs) was taken in the fifth-round of the supplemental draft and would have been one of the top safeties in this year’s draft had he declared. He is undersized for his position but his ability to track the ball on the defense made him standout in college, with six-career interceptions at Washington State.
In Jalen’s senior season, he made 66 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and forced a fumble.
Just like Byron Murphy and Zach Allen were forced into the starting lineup due to unfortunate circumstances, both Thompson will likely see a significant increase in snaps on the defense.
Although it is possible for the Cardinals to explore signing a veteran like Eric Berry or bring back a rookie like Tyler Sigler, this team will want to see what the Thompsons can do.
Should the Cardinals work with what they have on the roster? Or should they sign a veteran as soon as possible?